Means for securing the edges of fabrics woven in shuttleless looms



April 19, 1932.

W. A; DICKIE ET AL MEANSQFOR SECURING THE EDGES OF FABRICS WOVEN IN SHUTTLELESS LOOMS Filed Sept. 18, 1930 S 5 F. M H m m M Kww m A A A w C M v A R Patented Apr. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKIE AND FRANK CORBYN HALE, OF SPONIJON, NEAR DERBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS 'IO CELANESE CORPORATION OF AMERICA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MEANS FOR SECURING THE EDGES OF FABRICS WOVEN IN SHUTTLELESS LOOKS Application filed September 18, 1930, Serial No. 482,694, and in Great Britain November 11, 1929.

This invention relates to the manufacture of woven fabrics and'in particular has reference to weaving in shuttleless looms, having for its object an improvement of the sell vedges formed in certain classes of such looms.

In shuttleless looms it is impossible to form a selvedge of the kind produced in the ordinary type of loom, since the weft, which is inserted from a stationary supplyv and not from a pirn carrying a shuttle, is either cut into lengths suflicient for one or two plcks or else is inserted in double pick form. In the first case, the severed ends of the weft are left unsecured at the fabric edge unless special provision by way of turning the ends into the fabric is made for the purpose, and in the second case a loop of the double'pick is unsecured at one edge of the fabric unless special provision is made for threading a securing thread through the loop. These (118- advantages arise whatever the type of weft thread employed.

It is an object of the present invention to secure the edges of such fabrics without resorting to a special manipulation of the weft.

According to the present invention the edge of a fabric woven in a shuttleless loom is secured by softening warp and/or weft 39 threads at the edge of the fabric so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

Softening of the said threads may be effected by the application of a solvent, softening agent or swelling agent for the material of which the threads are composed to the edge of the, fabric, so that the threads are rendered more or less sticky or tacky and 4 readily adhere to contactingthreads in the edge of the fabric whether of the same nature as the softened threads or otherwise.

In the case of threads of thermoplastic material such as cellulose acetate or other or II ganic derivative of cellulose, the threads may the fabric, means may be provided to press be softened by the application of heat to the edge of the fabric.

Pressure may also be used in conjunction with the softening of the threads to assistin causing the warp and weft threads to adheretogether.

The application of the softening means may take place continuously during the production of the fabric, or intermittently and preferably at regular intervals, for example at elzery pick, or after any desired number of p10 s.

According to one method of securing the fabric edge by the application of heatto soften thermoplastic threads in the edge of the fabric edge between two surfaces, one or both of which may be heated to a sufficient extent to render the cellulose derivative plastic. Where the heat is to be applied continuously, one or both of the surfaces may take the form of a roller moving'with a peripheral speed approximately equal to the rate of production of the fabric.

In a further method the fabric may be arranged to pass over a cold surface and a heated roller or other member is arranged to press the fabric intermittently against the cold surface. Alternatively, both the surface and the pressing roller or other member may be heated, or a cold roller or other member may be arranged to press the fabric against a heated surface over which the fab-' ric passes. By these means, the softened thread is given an opportunity to return to its non-plastic conditlon between each application of the pressure.

In one method of applying solvent, softening agent, or swelling agent (hereinafter referred to as softening agent) to the fabric edge, a roller may be arranged to rotate so that its edge comes in contact with the fabric and carries a limited amount of softening agent to the fabric, the softening agent continually being supplied to the roller by a wick or from a trough into which the roller dips. The roller may also be arranged to apply a certain amount of pressure to the fabric, the pressure assisting the adherence of the softened threads in the fabric edge.

Instead of the softenin agentbeing continuously applied as just escribed, the roller or any other suitable means may be caused to apply softening agent intermittently with or fvzithout the aid of pressure to securethe we It is to be understood that the invention is applicable both to fabrics in which all of the threads are capable of being softened and also to those in which other threads are used in conjunction with such threads, it bein suflicient in the latter case that the .edge 0 the fabric contains threads that can be softened. For example, some or all of the Weft ing to the invention may be applied in the" weaving of fabrics in any form of shuttleless loom whether the weft is laid as severed single-pick len hs, as pairs of single picks connected toget er at one edge of. the fabric, or as a continuous double pick. Even in cases where provision is made for the turning in of out weft ends round one or more warp threads or into the next shed of the fabric,

the invention is also of service, greater security being given by the adhesion of these weft ends to the warps at the edge of the fabric.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with respect to the accompanying drawings in which ig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the front part of a loom, showing means for applying intermittentl a solvent or softener to the edge of the fa rio;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing means for subjecting the edge of the fabric intermittently to the action of heat and pressure;

Fig. tis a side elevation of the deviceadapted to apply a solvent or softener con-' tinuously to the edge of the fabric; and

Fig. 5 shows means for the continuous application of heat and pressure.- I

In Fig. 1 the fabric is shown at 6 and a tube 7 depends over the edge of the fabric closr to the ell 8 and slightly removed from the ric. This tube 7 is connected to a contains r 9 the member 18 being hea app y Immediately below the pad 10 is arranged a hammer 12 mounted on a bell-crank lever 13 which is adapted to be rocked by means of a cam 14 at each pick. Lifting of the hammer 12 causes the fabric 6 to be pressed against thepad 10 so that a small amount of solvent is applied to the fabric, thus softening the threads at the edge of the fabric so that they adhere together. Rotation of the cam 14 is effected by means of the chain 'wheel 15 and the chain 16 which is driven from any suitable part of the'loom mechanism.

The pad 10 and the hammer 12 situated close to the fell 8 of the fabric as before mentioned, are so positioned that the are not fouled by the slay 17 on its forwar motion durin beat-up.

In ig. 3 a sunilar arrangement of hammer 12 is employed, actuated by means of a cam 14. Above the hammer 12 a small metal member 18 is mounted on a fixed sup rt member 19 against the ed e of the fabric 6,

er elements (not shown sup lied with current b the leads 20. us t e upward motion 0 the hammer 12 brings the fabric into contact with the heated member 18 and apiplies heat and pressure thereto to cause the threads at the edge of the fabric to adhere together.

A form of apparatus for ap lying solvent and pressure continuously to t e edge of the fabric is shown in Fig. 4, two small rollers 21, 22 bein mounted on eachside of the edge of the clot 6 and in contact therewith, the lower roller 22 being driven slowly by means of the chain 23 driven from any convenient part of the loom. The upper roller 21 is supplied with a solvent or softener by a wick 24 on the end of the tube 25 supplied from a container 26, the wick 24 bearing a inst the peripheral face of the roller 21. e rollers 21, 22 are arranged as near as ible to the fell 8 of by internal heatthe cloth, and the wick 24 is placed close to the nip of the rollers so as to avoid undue loss of solvent by evaporation. The roller 21 is preferably knurled or fluted in order to carry a sufficient amount of solvent to the fabric, and is positively driven by suitable driving means.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a narrow-edged roller 27 is rotatably mounted above a positively driven roller 28, both rollers being in engagement with the edge of the fabric. The positively driven roller 28 is arranged to be heated by internal heating elements supplied with current through the leads 20, the temperature to which the roller is heated being suflicient to render the thread si plastic yet not so great as to scorch them. e pressure of ing widths of fabric which are to be woven in the loom. The lower roller 28 is driven slowly by chains 32 from any suitable part of the loom mechanism.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters'Patent is 1. Method of forming a secure edge in woven fabrics, comprising softening threads in the fabric during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads forming an edgeof the fabric to adhere together.

2. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric, comprising applying a softening liqo uid to the threads of the fabric at the edge of the fabric during weaving in a shuttleless loom, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together. I

3. Method of securing the edgefof a woven fabric, comprising applying a softening liquid to threads in the fabric intermittently during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads forming anedge of the fabric to adhere together. A p

4. .Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of cellulose derivatives, comprising softening threads in the fabric during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads formingan edge of the fabric to adhere together.

' 5. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of cellulose acetate, comprising softening the threads of the fabric at the edge of the fabric during weaving in a shuttleless l-oom, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

6. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of-cellulose derivatives, comprising softening cellulose derivative threads in the fabric by applying heat thereto during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads forming an edge of the fabric to adhere together.

7. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of cellulose derivatives, comprising softening the cellulose derivative threads at the edge of the fabric by applying heat thereto intermittently during weaving in a shuttleless loom, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

8. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric, comprising softening the threads of the fabric at the edge of the fabric and applying pressure thereto during weaving in a shuttleless loom, so as to cause the warp and weft'threads to adhere together.

9. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of cellulose .acetate,

comprising softening the threads of the fabric at the edge of the fabric and applying pressure thereto intermittently during weaving in a shuttleless loom, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

- 10. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of cellulose acetate, comprising softening the threads of the fabric at the edge of the fabric by applying heat and pressure thereto intermittently during weaving in a shuttleless loom, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

11. In combination with a loom, an apparatus for forming a secure fabric edge comprising means for softening threads 1n the r fabric during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads forming an edge of the fabric to adhere together.

12. In combination with a shuttleless loom,

an apparatus for securing the edge of the fabric comprising means for applying a softening liquid to the threads at the'edge of the fabric during weaving, so as tocause the warp and weft threads to adhere together. p

13. In combination with a shuttleless loom, an apparatus for securing the edge of the fabric comprising means for applying a liquid intermittently to the threads at the edge of the fabric during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together. V

14. In combination with a shuttleless loom, an apparatus for securing the edge of the fabric comprising means for applying heat to the threads at the edge of the fabric during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

15. In combination with a shuttleless loom, an apparatus for securing the edge of the fabric comprising means for applying heat intermittently to the threads at the edge of the fabric during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

16. In combination with a shuttleless loom, an apparatus for securing the edge of the fabric comprising means for applying a softening liquid to the threads at the edge of the fabric during weaving, and means for applying pressure to the softened threads so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together.

17 In combination with a shuttleless loom, an apparatus for securing the edge of the fabric comprising means for applying a softening liquid, and means for applying heat intermittently to the threads at the edge of the fabric during weaving, and means for applying pressure to the softened threads so as to cause the warp and weft threads to adhere together. I

18. Method of securing the edge of a woven fabric containing threads of cellulose acetate, comprising softening cellulose acetate threads in the fabric by applying a soften- 4- I gaseous ing liquid thereto during weaving, so as' to cause the warp and weft threads forming an edg; of the fabric to adhere to ether.

19. ethod of securing the edge a woven 5 fabric containing threads of cellulose acetate, comprising softening cellulose acetate threads in the fabric by applying a softening liquid intermittently thereto during weaving, so as to cause the warp and weft threads forging an edge of the fabric to adhere tot er. a In testimony whereof we have hereunto "subscribed our names.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKIE.

FRANK coRBYiI HALE. 

